Chapter 107: The Archmage’s Inquiry

“Enough, Imeline.”

Attestor signaled Imeline to cease her protests.

Her wound had not reopened, and Lovelenica’s gait had been anything but unsteady.

In truth, Lovelenica had moved swiftly yet smoothly, showing great consideration for Attestor. The flush on Attestor’s face was entirely her own doing.

Attestor gently took Imeline’s arm, coming to Lovelenica’s defense. She understood Imeline’s concern, so her tone held no blame, merely a gentle explanation of the circumstances.

“I’m perfectly fine. My wound hasn’t reopened, and I feel no discomfort. The redness in my face is likely due to the heat and being a bit too close to Miss Lovelenica; it simply felt warm.”

While Attestor sought to explain, she couldn’t possibly admit, in front of them all, that her prominent chest had pressed against Lovelenica’s back, causing her blush.

Such an admission would not only mortify her but undoubtedly embarrass Lovelenica as well.

With Attestor’s timely intervention, Lovelenica felt an immediate wave of relief. However, as she observed the lingering blush on Attestor’s face and her evasive explanation, the truth dawned upon her.

Attestor had, in fact, noticed her chest pressing against Lovelenica’s back, but assumed Lovelenica hadn’t. Perhaps it had been uncomfortable, yet Lovelenica had maintained a composed, expressionless facade, making Attestor hesitant to speak.

She wasn’t as oblivious as Lucia. If Lucia had been carrying Attestor, she surely wouldn’t have noticed the sensation against her back, dismissing it as mere normal physical contact.

Lovelenica coughed awkwardly twice, then picked up where Attestor left off.

“…Ahem, ahem. Indeed, it’s just as Thor said. Do you understand now? I know you don’t particularly care for me, but please don’t always blame me. I wouldn’t be so careless in such matters.”

“Hmm… it’s true, I felt a bit warm myself after running all this way.”

Lucia propped her chin in her hand, pondering for a moment before agreeing with Lovelenica.

She genuinely had felt warm from the exertion.

“…So, it really was just the heat? Then why do neither of you two look troubled?”

Imeline glanced at Attestor, then at Lovelenica and Lucia. Even if it was the heat, why were Lovelenica and Lucia unaffected?

Moreover, Lucia, who had carried her, had followed Lovelenica’s pace the entire way, their speeds nearly identical. Why hadn’t she felt warm at all?

“In any case, Thor is definitely fine. If you don’t believe me, feel free to check for yourself.”

Lovelenica helplessly spread her hands. Someone with Imeline’s meager figure would naturally fail to comprehend the woes of their more ample physiques.

“Thor, may I examine you?”

Imeline approached Thor, her eyebrows raised in skeptical inquiry.

“I suppose so… but we’re currently on the city walls, you know. Everyone else is watching us. How about we step inside the corner tower instead?”

An examination by Imeline would likely require her to lift her leather tunic, and she had no desire to expose herself to the gaze of all those below.

“…Very well.”

With that, Imeline helped Attestor into the corner tower on the city wall.

After a thorough examination, Imeline confirmed that Attestor’s wound showed no signs of reopening. There was no disruption in her internal elemental or magical energies either. It truly seemed to be nothing more than the heat.

“Ah, Imeline, you should apologize to Miss Lovelenica. You misunderstood her this time.”

Attestor pulled her tunic back down, sighing softly as she urged Imeline to apologize to Lovelenica.

Imeline knew she had been too hasty, and had once again prematurely judged Lovelenica as a villain.

Regardless of whether Lovelenica was truly a villain, objectively speaking, she was currently protecting them. Imeline felt she genuinely owed an apology.

“…My apologies, Lovelenica. I misjudged you.”

With that, Imeline even bowed to Lovelenica.

Yet, despite Imeline’s gracious apology, her lingering suspicion of Lovelenica still lent an unnatural stiffness to her tone.

Naturally, Lovelenica paid little mind to such a minor detail.

“It’s quite alright, truly.”

Lovelenica waved a dismissive hand, indicating that it was no matter to her; after all, it wasn’t the first time she had been misunderstood.

Moreover, to a certain extent, Imeline hadn’t entirely misjudged Lovelenica, for Lovelenica’s true nature was indeed that of a Bloodkin.

Just then, a flurry of hurried footsteps echoed from the stairs below, rapidly ascending.

It was the leading Archmage.

“Hoo… Why are you, why are you all back so late? Did something happen?”

Upon seeing Lucia and the others return, the Archmage immediately rushed from the city gate to the corner tower’s staircase, ascending to the city wall with all his might.

However, according to the Archmage’s own account, even his fastest stair-climbing speed was merely on par with an ordinary person’s.

The Archmage, visibly breathless, leaned on the railing, panting rapidly as his gaze meticulously swept over everyone, as if fearing Lucia and the others might have returned with missing limbs.

“That is precisely what I was about to explain.”

Lovelenica turned to the Archmage, addressing his inquiry.

“Lucia and the others were attacked deep within the Lost City by a group of black-clad individuals. Most of these assailants were Third-tier, with three being Fourth-tier. They seemed to be targeting Lucia, and what’s more, they were incredibly bizarre: their bodies turned to blood upon death.”

“Hoo—I see… No, wait! Who would be so audacious as to dispatch assassins during the Monster Hunt Exercise? And turn to blood upon death?”

The Archmage wiped a thin layer of sweat from his brow. Having just relaxed at Lucia’s safe return, he now jolted up as if startled, instantly grasping the gravity of the situation.

For someone to attack the Saintess during this annual Monster Hunt Exercise was unthinkable. This was a joint event organized by the three major factions, where participants were not only the brightest young talents but also protected by various mid- and even high-tier guardians.

Yet, despite such formidable protection, assassins had been dispatched. This was a blatant disregard for the guardians, and an affront to the very majesty of the Arcadia Kingdom!

“I haven’t finished speaking. If it were merely these assassins, we would have defeated them and returned much sooner. The crucial point is that another faction also intervened: an artificial Incomplete Bloodkin.”

“Blood—Bloodkin!?”

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